AQA Psychology A Level 2021 – Paper 2 Mark
Scheme (MS)
Below are exactly 18 multiple-choice questions simulating the AQA A-level Psychology Paper 2
from November 2021 (labeled as the 2021 exam), based on the structure from the mark scheme
and question paper. Paper 2 ("Psychology in Context") has 18 questions across three sections:
Approaches (Q1-6), Biopsychology (Q7-12), and Research Methods (Q13-18). These questions
are adapted to multiple-choice format (A-D) for practice, covering key topics from the
specification. Each question includes four options, the correct answer marked with (Correct
Answer: X), and a detailed rationale explaining why the answer is correct, aligned with the 2021
mark scheme and AQA criteria.
Section A: Approaches in Psychology (Questions 1-6)
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the behaviourist approach's view on
free will?
A. Humans have complete free will in decision-making
B. Behaviour is determined by environmental stimuli
C. Internal mental states drive all actions
D. Genetic factors primarily control behaviour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The behaviourist approach, as per AQA specification and 2021 MS (Section A, Q1),
emphasizes that all behaviour is learned through conditioning and determined by environmental
stimuli (e.g., classical/operant), rejecting free will as unscientific. Free will (A) aligns with
humanistic, mental states (C) cognitive, genetics (D) biological.
Question 2: In operant conditioning, what is the role of positive reinforcement?
A. It removes a stimulus to decrease behaviour
B. It adds a desirable stimulus to increase behaviour
C. It ignores behaviour to extinguish it
D. It pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves adding a rewarding stimulus to strengthen behaviour,
as outlined in Skinner's theory in the 2021 MS (Section A, Q2). Removal (A) is negative
reinforcement, ignoring (C) extinction, pairing (D) classical conditioning.
, Question 3: Which researcher is most associated with the cognitive approach in
psychology?
A. Pavlov
B. Skinner
C. Piaget
D. Bandura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget's theory of cognitive development exemplifies the cognitive approach's focus
on mental processes, per AQA and 2021 MS (Section A, Q3). Pavlov (A) and Skinner (B)
behaviourist, Bandura (D) social learning.
Question 4: The biological approach suggests that behaviour is influenced by:
A. Environmental conditioning only
B. Genetic inheritance and brain structure
C. Observational learning
D. Unconscious conflicts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The biological approach attributes behaviour to genetics, hormones, and neural
structures, as per 2021 MS (Section A, Q4). Conditioning (A) behaviourist, observational (C)
social, unconscious (D) psychodynamic.
Question 5: What is a key assumption of the psychodynamic approach?
A. Behaviour is fully conscious and rational
B. The unconscious mind drives behaviour
C. All learning is through reinforcement
D. Mental processes are irrelevant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Freud's psychodynamic approach posits the unconscious as the primary driver of
behaviour, per AQA and 2021 MS (Section A, Q5). Conscious (A) cognitive, reinforcement (C)
behaviourist, irrelevant (D) opposite.
Question 6: Which method is most associated with the humanistic approach?
A. Laboratory experiments
B. Case studies of abnormal behaviour
C. Client-centred therapy
D. Twin studies
Scheme (MS)
Below are exactly 18 multiple-choice questions simulating the AQA A-level Psychology Paper 2
from November 2021 (labeled as the 2021 exam), based on the structure from the mark scheme
and question paper. Paper 2 ("Psychology in Context") has 18 questions across three sections:
Approaches (Q1-6), Biopsychology (Q7-12), and Research Methods (Q13-18). These questions
are adapted to multiple-choice format (A-D) for practice, covering key topics from the
specification. Each question includes four options, the correct answer marked with (Correct
Answer: X), and a detailed rationale explaining why the answer is correct, aligned with the 2021
mark scheme and AQA criteria.
Section A: Approaches in Psychology (Questions 1-6)
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the behaviourist approach's view on
free will?
A. Humans have complete free will in decision-making
B. Behaviour is determined by environmental stimuli
C. Internal mental states drive all actions
D. Genetic factors primarily control behaviour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The behaviourist approach, as per AQA specification and 2021 MS (Section A, Q1),
emphasizes that all behaviour is learned through conditioning and determined by environmental
stimuli (e.g., classical/operant), rejecting free will as unscientific. Free will (A) aligns with
humanistic, mental states (C) cognitive, genetics (D) biological.
Question 2: In operant conditioning, what is the role of positive reinforcement?
A. It removes a stimulus to decrease behaviour
B. It adds a desirable stimulus to increase behaviour
C. It ignores behaviour to extinguish it
D. It pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves adding a rewarding stimulus to strengthen behaviour,
as outlined in Skinner's theory in the 2021 MS (Section A, Q2). Removal (A) is negative
reinforcement, ignoring (C) extinction, pairing (D) classical conditioning.
, Question 3: Which researcher is most associated with the cognitive approach in
psychology?
A. Pavlov
B. Skinner
C. Piaget
D. Bandura
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Piaget's theory of cognitive development exemplifies the cognitive approach's focus
on mental processes, per AQA and 2021 MS (Section A, Q3). Pavlov (A) and Skinner (B)
behaviourist, Bandura (D) social learning.
Question 4: The biological approach suggests that behaviour is influenced by:
A. Environmental conditioning only
B. Genetic inheritance and brain structure
C. Observational learning
D. Unconscious conflicts
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The biological approach attributes behaviour to genetics, hormones, and neural
structures, as per 2021 MS (Section A, Q4). Conditioning (A) behaviourist, observational (C)
social, unconscious (D) psychodynamic.
Question 5: What is a key assumption of the psychodynamic approach?
A. Behaviour is fully conscious and rational
B. The unconscious mind drives behaviour
C. All learning is through reinforcement
D. Mental processes are irrelevant
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Freud's psychodynamic approach posits the unconscious as the primary driver of
behaviour, per AQA and 2021 MS (Section A, Q5). Conscious (A) cognitive, reinforcement (C)
behaviourist, irrelevant (D) opposite.
Question 6: Which method is most associated with the humanistic approach?
A. Laboratory experiments
B. Case studies of abnormal behaviour
C. Client-centred therapy
D. Twin studies
